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Premature newborn after placement of a nasogastric tube

Upper GI of esophageal perforation caused by nasogastric tube
AXR AP (above left) shows the nasogastric tube to follow a rather straight course into the abdomen. There is increased lucency in the upper abdomen. Subsequent AXR decubitus (above right) shows free air between the abdominal wall and liver. AP view obtained 9 days later immediately after the injection of water soluble contrast through the nasogastric tube (below left) shows some contrast extravasating out of the esophagus into the mediastinum and some contrast entering the stomach. Lateral view obtained 15 minutes later (below right) shows contrast outlining the left pleural space.

The diagnosis was nasogastric tube malposition with the nasogastric tube causing esophageal perforation.

Newborn who is having difficulty handling their secretions

CXR of esophageal atresia without tracheo-esophageal fistula
CXR AP (above left) shows the chest to be unremarkable aside from a right sided aortic arch. However, there is no air seen within the gastrointestinal tract. CXR lateral (above right) shows the proximal esophagus behind the trachea to be very dilated. CXR obtained after placement of a nasogastric tube (below) shows the nasogastric tube to be looped within the proximal esophagus.

The diagnosis was esophageal atresia without tracheo-esophageal fistula.

Infant with bilious vomiting

Upper GI of malrotation with midgut volvulus
AP image from an upper GI exam shows the contrast filled stomach in the upper right of the image emptying into the duodenal bulb which is just to the right of the spine. The position of the duodenal-jejunal junction is not well defined and it may be in the right upper quadrant or in the left upper quadrant. In either case, it is well below the level of the duodenal bulb and therefore is malpositioned.

The diagnosis was malrotation with midgut volvulus.

Young adult with a gastrojejunostomy tube and chronic abdominal pain

CT of gastrojejunostomy tube causing duodenal-jejunal intussusception
Axial (above) CT with contrast of the abdomen shows a round soft tissue mass to the right of the vertebral body that has a target sign appearance and that has a jejunostomy tube coursing in the center of it. Coronal CT (below) shows the soft tissue mass to be long in length and to comprise the second and third parts of the duodenum and the proximal jejunum and to have the jejunostomy tube coursing throughout its length.

The diagnosis was gastrojejunostomy tube malfunction due to the formation of a duodenal-jejunal intussuception forming around the tip of the jejunostomy tube.